I have a couple of friends who lived and worked in Japan for some time. Kendo and Judo are rather popular as school activities, and are considered respectable hobbies for adults as well.

That civilisation may not sink,
Its great battle lost,
Quiet the dog, tether the pony
To a distant post;
Our master Caesar is in the tent
Where the maps are spread,
His eyes fixed upon nothing,
A hand under his head.